DOJ to probe official in ‘Alabang Boys’ drug case

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez has put one of his "competent" undersecretaries under investigation in connection with the alleged bribery attempt in the drug case involving three scions of wealthy families. Gonzalez also ordered all prosecutors under the Justice Department based in Metro Manila to attend a meeting Monday for a "bull session." "It took me by surprise this thing came out. Yung draft order which I was supposed to sign but refused to sign, actually, as it now appears ang naglagay sa table ko, yung secretary ni Undersecretary Blancaflor," he said in an interview on dzBB radio Sunday. ("It took me by surprise that the draft order for the release of the three boys was placed by undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor's secretary on my table.") Gonzalez said Blancaflor, who he described as "a very competent undersecretary," would be subjected to an “internal investigation” different from the probe on the alleged bribery attempt. "All these things I have ordered an internal investigation and also the external, which is the bribery aspect," he said. Blancaflor became controversial when a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) official named him as the Justice official who inquired about the case of Richard Brodett, Jorge Jordana Joseph, and Joseph Tecson – the so-called Alabang Boys who are currently under the custody of the anti-drug agency for drug-related cases. Interviewed by GMANews.TV, Blancaflor admitted inquiring about the drug case of the “Alabang Boys” but said he did it “for public service.” He also said there is nothing illegal in his phone call to Maj. Ferdinand Marcelino, the head of the PDEA Special Enforcement Service, and that he has no personal interest in the case of Brodett, Jordana Joseph, and Tecson. “There was nothing illegal…with what I did. I was only rendering public assistance to the public who was asking about the case,” Blancaflor said without elaborating. “I completely deny any involvement in any wrongdoing in connection with the PDEA. The truth of the matter is I only asked the PDEA why resolution dated Dec. 2 was not yet implemented by Dec. 23. The case was with PDEA so I had to call them. That’s all,” he added. The PDEA earlier said its Legal and Prosecution Service department, in response to DOJ’s “sudden release order,” communicated with Gonzalez since the drug case is subject to mandatory automatic review based on DOJ Memorandum Circular No. 46. Blancaflor also told GMANews.TV that the last time he talked to Marcelino, “he (Marcelino) told me that he holds me in highest respect and never occurred to me that I was involved in any illegal activity.” He then appealed to media outlets to “get the whole picture” in telling their stories. “I wish (the) media would interview more extensively…so we can tell the whole picture without bias,” Blancaflor said. - GMANews.TV